The Portland Press Herald / The Maine Sunday Telegram

Schutz is odd-man out on Pirates' clear day list

Portland sets its roster for the remainder of the season, and Felix Schutz is left off the list.

By Paul Betit pbetit@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

The numbers didn't add up for Portland Pirates center Felix Schutz.

When the American Hockey League released the clear day rosters for each of its 29 teams Thursday morning, Schutz's name was not among the two goalies and 20 skaters who will be unconditionally eligible to play for the Pirates for the final five weeks of the regular season and the Calder Cup playoffs.

But that doesn't mean he won't be playing for the Pirates.

"We had a hard decision to make, but it doesn't change anything," Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said. "He's still part of our mix here, and we feel he can be a valuable contributor down the stretch."

The AHL's clear day rosters consist of a maximum of 22 players. A player can be added to fill a vacancy only in an emergency situation, such as an injury, a suspension or a call-up to the NHL.

The Pirates reduced their current roster to 22 players Wednesday when center Matt Caruana, who had played 36 games in two stints with Portland, was returned to the ECHL's Gwinnett (Ga.) Gladiators.

But one more player needed to be removed from Portland's playoff roster to leave room for Mark Mancari, the Pirates' leading scorer, who was called up to the NHL last weekend by the parent Buffalo Sabres.

Schutz, in his second season with the Pirates, isn't happy with the change in his status.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "(Dineen) had to make a decision, and he made a decision, and I have to deal with it. That's the way it is."

Schutz, who has 12 goals and 12 assists in 58 games, will remain eligible to play while Mancari is with Buffalo.

The Pirates, who are in second place in the Atlantic Division, five points behind Worcester, take a three-game losing streak into the weekend. But some key players are ready to return to the lineup.

After missing three games because of injuries, forwards Tyler Ennis and Brad Larsen are expected back tonight. Ennis leads AHL rookies in scoring,

"We have some depth," Dineen said. "We have some extra bodies, and that's always a blessing and a curse."

AHL teams can dress two goalies and 18 skaters, which means as many as two healthy players need to be scratched from the lineup for each game.

"We have some lineup decisions to make, and we haven't had that luxury for different (parts) of the season," Dineen said. "It gives us a few things to work with."

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com